Biswaroop Roy Chowdhury

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Biswaroop Roy Chowdhury
Born (1973-07-23) 23 July 1973 (age 50)[1]

Biswaroop Roy Chowdhury is a self-proclaimed doctor known for peddling medical conspiracy theories, including denialist conspiracies about COVID-19, HIV/AIDS, and diabetes, for which he has been heavily criticized.[2][3][4][5][6] His multiple YouTube and social media accounts have been terminated for spreading misleading health advice.[7]

He is the author of several self-published books[8][9] and creator of two films. In 2005 he worked in Hindi movie Yaad Rakhenge Aap,[10] which claimed could somehow enhance the viewer's memory,[9][11] and in 2006 announced Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, which triggered a dispute with director Karan Johar, who was making his own film under the same name; both claimed that the title was registered with them.[12][13][14]

In August 2020, during the first peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in India, Chowdhury uploaded a video on YouTube calling for dropping the use of face masks, making the false claim that it is an ineffective way to control the virus.[15][16] He cautioned against COVID-19 vaccines and said: "If anyone influences you to take the vaccine, he is part of a group that wants to end your life and property."[17] Several of his conspiracy theories have been debunked by multiple media outlets such as Firstpost, including his claims that masks are a method of slavery and that they are ineffective at containing virus droplets.[18] His YouTube video promoting anti-mask conspiracy theories was taken down by Twitter for violating their terms of use.[3][19][20]

Indian health officials have referred to his "miracle diabetes cure" as fraud.[21] A criminal complaint was filed against Chowdhury for falsely claiming to be a medical practitioner, offering fraudulent treatments, and failing to provide emergency care at courses he has run.[22]

The Consumer Complaints Council (CCC) of the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) in 2016[23][24] and 2017[25][26] found Chowdhury's advertisement claiming 'Diabetes Type 1 & Type 2 Cure in 72 Hrs' was false and grossly misleading. ASCI further stated that in making claims of curing diabetes, the advertisement was in breach of the law as it violated the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954.

Despite Chowdhury's claims he is a doctor, he has no formal qualifications or medical training. He reportedly received a bogus honorary PhD[4] in "diabetes science" from Alliance International University in Zambia, which is not accredited.[27][28][29]

Chowdhury reportedly runs a fake online University named World Records University that sells fraudulent PhD.[30][31]

References[edit]

  1. Bhattacharyya, Gautam (9 April 2020). "COVID-19: Vitamin C, herd immunity the hope for India, Indian doctor says". Gulf News. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
  2. Schulson, Michael (6 June 2018). "Are Google and Facebook Responsible for the Medical Quackery They Host?". undark.com.
  3. 3.0 3.1 "COVID-19 Denialists and Anti-Maskers Are Gaining Momentum in India". www.vice.com.
  4. 4.0 4.1 "Fraud Alert - Biswaroop Roy Chowdhury". March 23, 2020.
  5. "This disease increases with diabetes / medicines, if you eat only fruits for breakfast, you will be in control". Dainik Bhaskar. 24 September 2018. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
  6. Kumar, Ashwani (3 August 2019). "Expert suggests diet to reverse diabetes in 72 hours". Khaleej Times. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
  7. "Coronavirus vaccine India: How vaccine myths are spreading in India - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 2021-01-07.
  8. Perappadan, Bindu Shajan (20 June 2015). "'Doctor' offers cure for diabetes in 72 hours, invites Minister". The Hindu.
  9. 9.0 9.1 Siwach, Sukhbir (21 January 2013). "Indian memory man to expose medical practices". The Times of India.
  10. "Movie Yaad Rakhenge Aap". Box Office India.
  11. Bhakoo, Shivani (17 May 2005). "Now, movie to enhance memory". Tribune India.
  12. "Screen On & Off". Telegraph India. 23 August 2005. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
  13. "Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna in a title controversy". Bollywood Hungama. 7 September 2005.
  14. "2 films titled 'Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna'". India Glitz. 11 April 2006. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
  15. Taskin, Bismee. "Anti-mask group gives wake-up call; to boycott masks, says it's a sign of slavery". The Print. TP. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  16. "The rise of India's 'Covid quack'", BBC News, 4 May 2021, retrieved 4 May 2021
  17. "How vaccine myths are spreading in India". Times of India. ToI. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  18. "Masks don't make you breathe in more carbon dioxide: Debunking myths about their efficiency, effects on oral cavity". Firstpost. August 19, 2020.
  19. Taskin, Bismee (August 18, 2020). "Anti-mask group gives 'wake-up call' to boycott masks, says it's a sign of slavery".
  20. "End of Modern Medicine: Author responds to criticism". The Statesman. 30 March 2019.
  21. Perappadan, Bindu Shajan (June 20, 2015). "'Doctor' offers cure for diabetes in 72 hours, invites Minister" – via www.thehindu.com.
  22. BBC: Complaint filed against popular Indian anti-vaxxer over COVID cure claim, Media Brief, 23 April 2021, retrieved 4 May 2021
  23. "ASCI upheld complaint against Advertisements - ASCI CCC Decisions: May 2016" (PDF).
  24. "Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) Health-Related Decisions and Recommendations, May 2016". Quackwatch.
  25. "ASCI upheld complaint against Advertisements - ASCI CCC Recommendations: August 2017" (PDF).
  26. "ASCI bans 114 ads". 26 October 2017.
  27. "Higher Education Authority (HEA),Zambia". Apr 20, 2018.
  28. "'Substandard' university deregistered". April 5, 2018.
  29. "Self-proclaimed doctor rallies India's anti-mask camp as cases soar". The Straits Times. August 28, 2020.
  30. "Rape Convict Ram Rahim Has His PhD Revoked From Unrecognised 'World Record University' In UK". IndiaTimes. 2017-09-17. Retrieved 2021-05-20.
  31. Sep 8, IP Singh / TNN / Updated; 2017; Ist, 11:02. "Unrecognized varsity to withdraw PhD conferred upon Gurmeet Ram Rahim | Chandigarh News - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 2021-05-20.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

External links[edit]